Adderall is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for ADD/ADHD. Although Adderall is often an incredibly effective method of treatment, many people who take it eventually become dependent on it and abuse it. It's listed as a schedule II controlled substance (the same class as methamphetamine and cocaine) because of its high addictive potential. If you're considering asking your doctor about Adderall or if you recently got your first prescription for it, learning how to prevent abuse in advance is a smart choice.

Steps

1

Strictly follow your doctor's dosage instructions. Doctors know what they're doing, so it's important to only take as much Adderall as you're prescribed.

Make sure to tell your psychiatrist if you have any problems or severe side effects. If you feel like the current amount you're taking isn't enough, tell them and he/she will most likely increase the dose gradually.

2

Take tolerance breaks occasionally. A common problem people face when they take Adderall is that they build a tolerance to it. This means that after a while of regular use, the effects will begin to fade and you'll feel the need to take more of it to feel the effects again.

Instead of asking your doctor for a higher dosage, you can just take a break from Adderall for a few days - a week. During this time, your tolerance goes back down so when you start taking it again, the effects will be much more potent again.

Taking regular tolerance breaks is a good choice for pretty much everyone who has a prescription because they decrease your risk of dependence/addiction. It's best to only take Adderall when you need it; take weekends off if you don't have any work/homework that's due.

3

Drink coffee or energy drinks to relieve Adderall cravings. In large amounts, caffeine produces a feeling somewhat similar to the effects of Adderall. If you start to experience unhealthy cravings, drinking a Monster or some coffee with lots of espresso might help.

Sometimes combining caffeine and amphetamine can be dangerous because they both increase your heart rate, so be careful.

4

Recognize symptoms of Adderall dependence. While being dependent on a drug does not necessarily mean you're addicted, it does frequently lead to addiction later on. [1] Being able to spot the early signs of dependence is critical if you want to stay safe and healthy. Some common symptoms include:

Feeling like you need Adderall to get out of bed in the morning, accomplish simple tasks, and generally cope with everyday life.

Very strong, uncontrollable cravings.

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, depression, irritability, lack of motivation, anxiety, sleep problems (sleeping too much or not enough), hunger, and confusion [2]when your dose is lowered or you don't take Adderall.

5

Limit the amount of time you spend studying/doing work. Adderall is known for giving people the urge to be extremely productive. This effect can be really good, but make sure you don't get too carried away with 8-hour study binges and hundreds of projects. It's very easy to accidentally take on more than you can handle and then get stuck later when the Adderall wears off.

Basically, don't expect your extreme Adderall-induced productivity mode to be your new default mood. Eventually the amphetamine will wear off and unrealistic expectations like this can trigger cravings and abuse.

6

Make sure to eat properly and stay hydrated. Adderall dehydrates you so remember to drink a lot of water! It also completely gets rid of your appetite so remind yourself to eat, even if it's just something small.

7

Get the sleep you need. A common, extremely unhealthy habit of people who take amphetamines is going on Adderall binges. It's basically where you continuously take large amounts of Adderall for days at a time without sleeping. It sounds crazy, but it's an easy trap to fall into, especially if you have a lot of work to finish.